Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2011 , Vol 14, Issue 1
CARE OF DEMENTIA PATIENTS–SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE, ATTITUDE, AND SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
Nil TEKİN1, Güzel DİŞÇİGİL2, Elif ALTUNBAŞ3
1SGK Narlıdere Dinlenme ve Bakımevi, Aile Hekimliği, İZMİR
2Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Aile Hekimliği, AYDIN
3SB Sincan Mehmet Nurhan Kaynak Sağlık Ocağı, Aile Hekimliği, ANKARA
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess perspective, attitude, and sources of knowledge of participants who attended a public training program about dementia.

Materials and Method: A structured questionnaire was administered to 118 participants in the meetings arranged by Alzheimers' Association.

Results: There were 73 (61.9%) female participants and 45 (38.1%) male participants. Mean age was 57.87 ± 15.44 years (range: 14-83). Main knowledge resources for dementia were books, magazines (49.15%) and doctors (33.9%). Of the participants, 58 (49.15%) reported that they attended the meeting to improve their knowledge, and 48 (40.67%) stated they attended because they had a dementia patient to take care of. Of the participants, 54 stated that dementia patients should be taken care of at nursing homes whereas 51 reported that they could be taken care of at home.

Conclusion: Although knowledge about dementia is not sufficient, perception about its importance is increasing in our population. All sources of media should be used actively in raising public awareness about dementia. Common perspective about care of dementia patients both at home and nursing homes indicate that special attention should be given to improve both home and institutional care services. Keywords : Dementia; Alzheimer Disease; Elderly Care; Knowledge; Education